Man is born broken. He lives by mending. The grace of God is glue. (Eugene O'Neil)

February 2009

February 25, 2009

On February 22, 2009, TJ Holmes interviewed Mark DeYmaz on CNN Sunday Morning to air concerns related to a proposed bill in the Arkansas legislature that would allow those with a concealed weapons permit to carry guns into churches in Arkansas. Thanks in part to such publicity, the bill died in a senate subcommittee later in March (2009).

February 22, 2009

I just finished a CNN interview raising concerns re. the proposed bill that would allow those with concelaed weapons permits to bring guns into churches here in Arkansas. As a pastor potentially affected
by this bill, I have concerns.

Below then are my thoughts, preceeded in some instances by quotes (in italics) from widely circulated AP reporting including those of one of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Beverly Pyle (R-Cedarville).

1. Pyle had an unexpected ally in liberal Rep. Lindsley Smith, who said she supported the bill because it was an issue of separation of church and state. Smith, D-Fayetteville, urged lawmakers to pass the bill "because churches shouldnt be treated differently from other private entities under state law," she said.

The
separation of church and state argument cuts both waysin this instance in that churches like ours
unwilling to allow guns on our property will be forced by the state to do
or to publicly display in writing that concealed weapons are not allowed
inside our facilities. As a pastor attempting to create sanctuary for
large numbers of people in an increasingly diverse an unstable world, I
want God not guns in the front window, i.e., otherwise having to address this on signs, in bulletins and/or on our website, etc.

2. It is
the responsibility of the state to protect and defend its citizens and
this responsibility extends into the church, as well. Likewise, it is the
responsibility of a shepherd to protect his sheep, and not the sheep to protect themselves.

3. "It is time we changed our concealed-handgun law to allow law-abiding citizens of the state of Arkansas the right to defend themselves and others should a situation happen in one of our churches," Pyle said.

The
concern for safety of a large population of people whether on a plane, in
a school or in a church supercedes the right of an individual citizen to
carry a gun into such and thinking primarily to defend himself in case of trouble.

4. Churches
in Arkansasalready have the rightto allow concealed guns and approved security inside our facilities. While no one can ensure criminal acts do not take place, surely this is the more responsible and safe way to do all we cna to protect our flocks.

5. Pyle said it would be up to each church whether toallow the concealed guns.The
church is to inform culture, not culture the church.Theologically,
it’s a bit troubling that individuals presumably attending to seek God by
faith would in turn bring a gun into church in fear of man!

February 16, 2009

(AP) Little Rock - Arkansas pastors may soon have to worry about more than their flocks' spiritual battles. After a number of shootings in churches nationwide, should congregants be allowed to bring concealed weapons into their sanctuaries? Under current Arkansas law, holders of concealed weapons permits can take their guns anywhere they want except bars and houses of worship. A bill in the state Senate would let churches decide for themselves whether weapons should be allowed.

"I believe it would disturb the sanctity and tranquility of church" said Pastor John Phillips, a bill opponent who was shot twice in the back as he finished a service 23 years ago. If a church opts out, "Do you want ushers to stop you at the door and frisk you?"

The bill's supporters say the issue isn't gun rights but a constitutionally protected right for churches to set their own rules. Opponents say worshippers should be allowed to pray without worrying whether the person next to them is armed.

Nathan Petty, a pastor at Beech Grove Baptist Church in Fordyce, has presented to legislators a petition from 40 preachers who support the bill.
"It's not about gun rights, it's about church rights," Petty said.

"Is it right for the state to make that decision for the church?"

Phillips said there could have been carnage at his Ward Chapel Church in Little Rock if someone else had been armed when he was attacked by a parishioner's relative for a still-unknown reason. "People are not going to react the way they think they're going to react in the heat of the moment. It was utter chaos when I was shot," said Phillips, who still carries one of the bullets in his body.

The bill, by Republican Rep. Beverly Pyle, passed the House on Wednesday and is pending before a Senate committee.

Grant Exton, the executive director of the Arkansas Concealed Carry Association, said allowing concealed weapons would not make churches more likely to have volatile situations - but adds that that is not his point. "It's a problem of (the government) telling churches what to do in an area of moral issue, where that should be none of their business," Exton said. Of 48 states that allow concealed carry, 42 let churches make the decision, Exton said. "We have the government in an area that it shouldn't be," he said.

If the current law is not changed, it is subject to a challenge on constitutional grounds, said John DiPippa, the interim dean at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law.
A law prohibiting guns from places of worship is similar to a law requiring that churches permit guns, because the government is forcing a decision on a religious institution based on moral grounds, he said. "On the religious argument, you could make the same claim in both directions."

Religious leaders have a responsibility to protect their congregations both spiritually and physically, said Mark DeYmaz, a pastor at Mosaic Church in Little Rock. He opposes allowing guns in churches but said each religious establishment must decide for itself.
"A good shepherd would not allow a wolf near his flock," said DeYmaz, whose church is located in one of the city's tougher areas.

After a man in Colorado went on a shooting spree at two religious facilities in 2007, DeYmaz' community established "the Mosaic Watchmen," a group of ushers trained in security measures but designed to uphold the church's image as a sacred place - not an armed church.
"We're there to be a light in the community, and we don't like the image that would give us," DeYmaz said.

February 14, 2009

On February 12, Dr. Joe Aldrich passed from this life into life eternal with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. More than a great man of God and of prayer, he was family; the uncle of my wife, Linda, and younger brother of my mother-in-law, Jane Aldrich Brown. While his death saddens us all, we see it as an act of mercy. For fifteen years, Joe had suffered with Parkinson's Disease and only five days before his death, had been placed in a nursing home as the difficulty of his care became too much any more for the family, led by his wife, Ruthie. And since his father, Dr. Willard Aldrich, turned 100 in January, Joe could have remained alive for many more years; but this as you might imagine would not have been living. He is now whole and at peace in that wonderful place we call heaven.

Dr. Joe as he was affectionately known by students and faculty alike at Multnomah University was the president of that institution for nearly twenty years prior to contracting Parkinson's Disease in the early 1990s. In addition, it was 20 years ago this month that Joe founded and facilitated the very first Pastors' Prayer Summit in Salem, OR, as part of his vision/initiative at that time called Northwest Renewal. It was his belief that if pastors across denominational lines would come together to pray and to seek the face of their common Creator and Lord, entire churches and communities would be renewed with fresh wind and fire. And they have. Since then, nearly 2,000 Prayer Summits have taken place in over 40 states and nearly 30 nations throughout the world under the auspices of International Renewal based in Portland, OR.

A well-respected national Christian leader (seen in this picture with Dr. Billy Graham) and author of many books, his work entitled, Lifestyle Evangelism became a classic. His vision was the impetus for the founding of Multnomah Biblical Seminary in Portland, OR. His love for students and his lasting imprint on Multnomah University and Biblical Seminary was memorialized in the naming of the Joseph C. Aldrich Student Center (JAC) dedicated in 2007.

If you would like to express that to his family, please send a note to [email protected]